🍝 Ziti au Four (Baked Ziti)
A comforting Italian-American classic that’s creamy, cheesy, and packed with flavor. Perfect for family dinners or gatherings! 🧀🍅
Ingredients
For the Pasta:
- 1 lb (450 g) ziti pasta (or penne)
- 1 tsp salt (for boiling water)
For the Sauce:
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef or Italian sausage (optional for vegetarian)
- 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional for heat)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tsp sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
For the Cheese Mixture:
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (or 1 tsp dried parsley)
For Topping:
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese